Patent CA-2082180-A1 (CA)
Title: Silc-single line connection all-in-one audio and visual imaging device
Inventor: GRANT GEORGE W
IPC: H04N7/14
Filed: 1992-11-05
Abstract: PATENT APPLICATION          Abstract This invention (hereafter called as SiLC for the sake of expedience and pronounced silk) is an interface device and a connecting process at the transmitting and the receiving locations, which will allow visual information to be presented simultaneously (or at the control of the nearest party to each device) as part of a normal conversation as comfortably as if all parties shared the communication within the same room.     With SiLC, multi sensory communication over single voice-grade telephone lines can be part of the ease of interaction that is now limited to voice only conversation.     Transactions which include audio and visual components (such as those which are now shown to a group in a single room using readily available presentation devices) can now be telecommunicated as ubiquitously as voice telephone calls to people in distant locations. The addition of visual aids like written text, charts, or pictures is common in face to face interaction because it improves initial audience interest, sustains ongoing attention, improves persuasion, and enhances memory retention of the information presented.     All these visual elements add to communications effectiveness. The addition of visual components to telecommunication, where only verbal telecommunication was previously possible, will accelerate attention, interest, understanding, and commonality.   abstract                                             4 The average person speaks at a rate of between 100 and 150 words per minute. That same average person can read at 300 words per minute, and those who read at 1000 words per minute are not uncommon. Many normal people have difficulty sustaining interest in and attention to an unseen speaker, especially if the verbal message lacks emotional appeal. The nuance of factual or appealing visual information (such as graphics, images and/or colour) adds to the speed of comprehension and attention by the receiver. Gestures and facial expressions become non-verbal aids to understanding. A University of California study entitled "Silent Messages" by Albert Mehrabid, outlined the role of the 5 human physical senses in knowledge accumulation in an average person's lifetime experience as Sight - 75%, Hearing - 13%, Touch - 6%, Taste - 3%, Smell - 5.      People are better lookers than listeners. Visual experience is 5 times more frequent (and hence familiar) than audible experience. Visual plus audible communication is 43% more persuasive, 100% more effective, and 133% more efficient than an effective audio-only interaction. Next day recall of what we hear is 30%, but is 50% when we both hear and see. Compared to black and white, colour in visual content improves next day recall from 50% to 78%, same day participation by 80%, and attitude change effectiveness by 50% to 85%. (Note that the audio-visual interaction effectiveness is still preconditioned upon acceptable audio transmission and reception).     More concensus can be accomplished faster, more accurately, and more spontaneously using SiLC devices with basic telephone service between distant parties. This device will be of special help for those in less well developed areas in Canada and in the rest of the world, who now only have access to simple telecommunications infrastructure.